Turn of the Century

As the opener to their first international album, Turn of the Century announces the brothers’ arrival in England not with a blast of the modern but a jolly fanfare from the past. The Bee Gees had travelled not just overseas but, in a sense, back in time, back to their own pasts, back to the ‘old country’ and a swinging London enthralled to Victoriana. Here they set out their stall with aplomb, conjuring a bustling world somewhere between Oliver Twist and a Quality Street tin.

I struggle to make out the lyrics ‘Big wide hats and men in spats’ until researching this piece, preferring ‘people had too many spats’. And I do love Robin’s Cockney ‘orseless carriages.’

Whilst not one of their major songs, Turn of the Century is a solidly crafted piece of pop which lifts the lid on their new career and survives as a solid and highly melodic contribution to toytown pop.